Former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Carlton Moore has died. He died Tuesday night at a rehabilitation center in Tamarac, where he had been recovering recently from a severe stroke he suffered on Christmas Day.

Former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Carlton Moore has died. He died Tuesday night at a rehabilitation center in Tamarac, where he had been recovering recently from a severe stroke he suffered on Christmas Day.

Anthony ManSun Sentinel

Original post | 10:07 a.m.

Updated | 10:50 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:59 p.m. and 3:24 p.m.

Former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Carlton Moore has died. He was 60.

He died Tuesday night at a rehabilitation center in Tamarac, where he had been recovering recently from a severe stroke he suffered on Christmas Day, said his friend Florida Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale.

Smith said Moore got him started in politics. "I never even thought about politics until Carlton."

Moore served on the City Commission from 1988 to 2008.

Scroll down for recollections from U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, and Broward Supervsior of Elections Brenda Snipes, and statements from Fort Lauderdale city leaders.

“Carlton Moore was a mentor, a friend, and, above all, a surrogate father for me.

“We first began working together when he was the president of the Ft. Lauderdale branch of the NAACP. My mom was the secretary and I was very active in the organization’s Youth Council. He taught me the values of hard work, dedication and commitment to my community.

“Carlton is wholly responsible for my political career. One year out of FSU law school, he appointed me to the City of Ft. Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board. He convinced me to run for the Florida House of Representatives, and remained a constant political and personal advisor to me.

“Ft. Lauderdale is a better place because of the tireless work he did as NAACP president to bring economic and social justice to the city. From downtown development to beautification and revitalization of Sistrunk Boulevard, his legacy will forever stand as one of the finest commissioners ever to have served our community.

“The city of Ft. Lauderdale, the state of Florida, and this nation have lost a tireless servant. And I have lost a great friend.”

Update | 12:20 p.m.

Just spoke with Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes. Here’s what she said about Moore:

“I think Carlton was a giant. He was really a giant. He was a fighter. He had a lot of determination, and the hugest concern for improving the community that he represented. And he was just genuine about that.”

Update from the City of Fort Lauderdale | 1:55 p.m.

From Mayor Jack Seiler:

"Fort Lauderdale has lost a true champion of the people," Seiler said. Commissioner Moore's decades of distinguished leadership provided a strong voice to our City and, in particular, to our Northwest community. His vision and tireless efforts brought new residential and commercial development to the Midtown area, while laying the foundation for much of the progress and advancement we continue to see today. We are grateful for his many years of outstanding service to Fort Lauderdale and his countless contributions to moving our City forward. Our thoughts, prayers, and support are with his family during this difficult time."

Commissioner Bobby DuBose:

"Commissioner Moore was so much more than an elected official, he was a father to many of us in the Northwest community," DuBose said. “I remember him as the president of the NAACP when I was in the youth council. He was always a leader and encouraged many of us who are currently serving as elected officials to be leaders, and not just any leader, but a leader with integrity, grit, and a true sense of wanting to make our community and City a better place for everyone. His voice, passion and dedication to the Northwest will be missed. Our hearts are heavy and we will continue to pray for his family during this time of bereavement."

Update from U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar | 3:24 p.m.

Just spoke with Hastings, who knew Moore as a child, meeting him at age 9 or 10.

“It’s a dark day.

“Ada, his mother, has lost a great child. I’ve lost a good friend, and Florida, the nation and his community have lost what I refer to as an ‘original,’ and an icon.

“Carlton was a visionary, and fortunately for him and for those of us in the community, many of his ideas did come to fruition.

“I would refer to our personal relationship, aside from an extraordinary friendship and reciprocal mentoring. By that I mean, when we started, I being older than he, I was like a mentor to him. But over the course of time and both of our involvements in politics, the mentor became the mentee became the mentor became the mentee as we interacted politically.

“I knew him as a child. I saw him grow all the way up in this community.

“He cut a hell of a path on a lot of things.

“Much of the ongoing development in northwest development and in the city generally is attributable to his work on the city commission.

“Carlton carried himself as a gentleman. He was the kind of person who for a lady would hold a chair or open a door. He didn’t have a whole hell of a lot of clothing, but he wore the ones that he had extremely well. He loved to be well dressed and carried himself that way.

“I am, as are all of his friends with whom I’ve spoken, are just devastated.”